Sugar labeling on products starts August
New labels on high-sugar content products that will properly inform consumers of the dangers on health of too much sugar intake will be implemented starting August this year, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
Lopez met yesterday with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to discuss the labeling issue and what products should be included in response to President Duterte’s order to ensure health warnings against the dangers of high sugar consumption.
Lopez said in a chance interview with reporters covering the event on “Empowering Philippine SMEs with Digital Tools and Mentorship Opportunities” that new food product labels should be implemented in two months or by August but manufacturers will be given a transition period to finish all their existing packaging with the old labels.
Lopez also met separately with the food manufacturers, particularly the sugar and beverage sector.
Lopez was looking at placing the warning sign in front of the product and with bigger font.
The label should consider the sugar content per serving for easy understanding. “We’re looking at grammage,” he said. Lopez said they are looking at 20-30 grams per serving.
They may also look into the beverages sold in vending machines.
Food products to be included cover food products, beverages in powder, ready to drink and juice concentrates.
But he discounted any cost adjustment because of the new packaging.
This new but health warning though may affect consumption pattern among Filipinos. With the health of high sugar diet, consumers are expected to shy away from these products to avoid diabetes, which has an alarming growth rate in the country, and other diseases associated with diabetes.
The sugar-sweetened beverages sector has already suffered from the imposition of higher taxes in January this year.
A sachet of powdered juice that can produce one liter of drink now costs R18 from R9 before the TRAIN Law takes effect in January.